Hello month 5! Finally, time for a new continent! After spending four months in Asia I was ready to leave but at the same time it was starting to become comfortable.
Indonesia:
This month was full of being intentional. Intentional with each other and with the people we met. All the girls together for the WHOLE month. To be honest at first I was a little worried about that many girls in one house for 4 weeks. But Jesus is so faithful! Halfway through the month I was ready to stay as an all girls team for more than just one month. When we take time to be intentional with the person in front of us relationships grow. Once the relationship grows we are able to dive into what God is calling us too. We can walk in one accord yet still have our own opinions. It’s when we become vulnerable and share our opinions with open hands we are able to let God lead the way. Life is all about being real. So, Indonesia was a month of being real with one another and growing together. Growing more into who God has made us to be. Oh, the beauty of community.
Botswana:
After about 24 hours of travel we arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa. Since they were having elections on the 8th we had to be out of the country as soon as possible. The only bus to Botswana left an hour before our plane landed so we needed to find a place to stay for that night.
Rewind to September 2012:
I was 19 years old and headed 1/2 way around the world for the next three months. I had never traveled internationally by myself before. To be honest I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. Upon arriving in Mozambique, Africa I learned that there would be two other missionaries there with Brenda (the owner of the organization). Eric Dry who became my African Dad and Leona who was my partner in crime. Looking back I know that wouldn’t have lasted three months without her. God knew what he was doing. My time in Africa came to an end and I said, “See you later.” Simply because goodbye is too final and my hope was that I would see them again.
Back to the PRESENT:
Looking for a place to stay for that night I sent a message to Leona. I knew she lived near Johannesburg but I wasn’t sure what her schedule looked like. Before the end of the night she had arranged for us to be picked up from the airport, sleep at her house, and transport to the bus station the next day. I could not wait to see her again! My heart felt like it was going to explode.
She had a braai (for us Americans its known as a BBQ) ready for us… We had so much meat it was such a shock to our system. Then there was dessert and for breakfast she served us bacon and eggs. Her and her family walked us through the bus station and gave us chicken and jerky for the ride to Gaborone. We left feeling so blessed and well loved. It was so great being able to see her and meet her family. There were also many divine conversations. God was moving and it was beautiful.
Upon arrival in Gaborone, Botswana we learned that our housing option? had declined us. Thankfully, team Cake and team Harmony were with us on the bus. They reached out to their respective hosts and found us a place to sleep. All the girls went with team Cake and Ronny and Hunter went with team Harmony. The next day, thanks to video chat, we talked with the boys and they were able to join us at our guesthouse. We have been seeking God, fasting for fundraising, and planning our next steps.
Please join me in praying for our squad to all reach our final deadline on May 29th.
